Visigoottien

Visigoottien refers to a branch of the Goths, a Germanic people who played a significant role in the late Roman Empire and the subsequent formation of various kingdoms in Western Europe. Emerging from the larger Gothic confederation, the Visigoths are first recorded as a distinct group in the 3rd century AD, engaging in raids across the Danube River into Roman territory. Their history is closely intertwined with the Roman Empire, marked by periods of both conflict and alliance.

A pivotal moment in Visigothic history occurred in 376 AD when, fleeing Hunnic pressure, they were allowed to cross the Danube into Roman lands. However, mistreatment by Roman officials led to a rebellion, culminating in the Battle of Adrianople in 378 AD, where they decisively defeated a Roman army and killed Emperor Valens. This event significantly weakened Roman authority in the Balkans.

Under their leader Alaric, the Visigoths famously sacked Rome in 410 AD, a deeply shocking event for the Roman world. They then moved into southwestern Gaul, establishing a kingdom with its capital at Toulouse. This kingdom eventually expanded into Hispania. In the 6th century, their power in Gaul was significantly curtailed by the Franks, leading them to consolidate their rule in Hispania. The Visigothic Kingdom of Hispania endured for several centuries, developing its own legal codes and contributing to the cultural landscape before its eventual conquest by the Umayyad Caliphate in the early 8th century.